Report: Man was stabbed, beaten before home fire set

February 12th, 2013by Beth Burger in Local Regional News

Crime tile

A man whose burned body was found inside an East Chattanooga duplex after firefighters responded to a blaze died from numerous stab wounds and blunt-force trauma, according to a Hamilton County medical examiner's report released Monday.

Lucius Moss, 36, was slain in his home Friday after he sustained 17 stab wounds, mostly to his neck, face and head. His right wrist was sliced to the bone with tendons and joints exposed.

Moss received as many as six blunt-force blows including one that fractured his nose and a few to the top of his head. His back and part of his arms and legs were covered in burns from the fire, according to the report.

Someone passing by contacted the Chattanooga Fire Department when they noticed a fire at 1802 Wilcox Blvd. just before 6 a.m., the report states.

Neighbors in the adjoining side of the duplex weren't sure if anyone was inside when asked by firefighters. When firefighters arrived they had to break the front window and kick in the door to get the blaze under control, according to a released statement.

Nearby residents said in previous interviews they believed Moss was arguing with someone just before the fire. It's unclear what the argument was over.

Moss' criminal record in Hamilton County shows more than one conviction of possession of cocaine for resale. He was convicted of a murder and robbery in the early 1990s, according to records.

As of Monday, no arrest had been made in the death.

Anyone with any information about Moss' death is asked to call Chattanooga police at 423-698-2525 or Crime Stoppers at 423-698-3333.